So is it the U.S. gov.position that Imperialism is bad unless it's the U.S. version of Imperialism?

Question

Did you listen to President Bush's speech to the VFW the other day?

He made a comment about how much better off Japan is now that we talked them out of Imperialism after WWII.

I thought that was pretty ironic since trying to promote a so called American Democracy worldwide through war is in itself an Imperialistic mission!

So Imperialism is OK if it's the U.S. version?

Even if we infringe on our own laws and constitutional amendments to accomplish it?

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with that?

Biggg: Japan isn't a territory of the U.S.??? Really??

Then explain the U.S. has military bases there. It isn't just for protecting Japan against an attack by outside forces.

This is part of the reason why the Iraqi's cannot accomplish the goals the U.S. has set for them.
The Iraqi's don't want a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq!

Heart and Troll: Really? There is plenty that this government does that it doesn't say it will do and there's much they say they will do that they never intend to do.

It isn't that difficult to see what's happening even if they don't provide a road map.

Answer 1

IIMO you hit the nail squarely on the head, Kiddo.

If you are old enough you will remember how the Soviet Union used to rewrite it’s history about every five years. They had what they called the “five year plan” which was supposed to be related to agriculture. We used to joke that it was their pathetic attempt to…rewrite…their recent history and expect people to swallow the revised crap they were spewing.

Our current government, not a student of history, has adopted the same re-write policy except that they do not bother to wait five years every time they try to do so. Our government has special tools for this process; they are as follows:

Ignorance of world events…
Ignorance of world history…
Ignorance of social cultures of the various people with whom we have contact…
Denial of reality on an almost psychotic level…
The use of special sooth-sayers who, while basically uninformed, have special powers from some deity.

With these special abilities, they sally forth with blinders and "perform".

The real question is, as I see it, can the other party repair the damage. This remains to be seen.

Jim D

Answer 2

Your question: "So is it the U.S. gov.position that Imperialism is bad unless it's the U.S. version of Imperialism?" Is pretty much the way the rest of the world is seeing the actions of the US. No matter how big your military is, or is going to become, it will be very hard defeating the whole world, if they ever wake up to what your government is up to. I'm sure that even the UK government will one day realize what is happening. Soon I hope.

Answer 3

Right. The US pretends to be a certain way, but acts a completely different way. It's all a matter of how well the government can convince the people (and the govts of the rest of the world) that it is truly what it says it is. For instance...we really aren't a Democratic Republic anymore (or if we ever were). It is an oligarchy that is morphing into socialism. But we are still a "Democracy" in the eyes of the world and our own people...

Answer 4

Right or wrong, why would you be surprised that the United States does what it does to defend and promote what's in it's own best interests?

But you do have a point. Maybe we should keep the $150 BILLION a year we spend in foreign aid, close down ALL foreign military bases, and the next time there is a war or a natural disaster we can direct all comments, questions, and requests to the UN. That wouldn't bother me a bit!

Answer 5

Enforcing freedom at the end of the barrel of a gun isn't exactly freedom is it. Who are we to say what is best for the rest of the world. The US is guilty of every sin known to man and it's only getting worse. Yes tell the world our way is the right way when we have a rapist, murderer or child molester living in practically every neighborhood. We don't respect one another anymore how can we expect another country to respect our ideals.

Answer 6

You are not the only one who sees something wrong with that bit of hypocrisy. Imperialism will be the downfall of life as we know it, and who knows what kind of a future we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. Great question, btw- A star for you.

Answer 7

You're missing the point that Japan is not the property of the United States. The biggest part of imperialism is taking possession of other nations and adding them to your empire, peon.

For the record, Japan attacked the United States and our allies. We defended ourselves by dismantling their empire and yes, they came out much better for it. Take a look at every one of their neighbors.

Further, none of our laws or anything in our constitution was violated in conquering Japan.

Answer 8

I agree with you. Somehow many of our leaders seem to have a double standard and believe that what's bad for others is somehow good for us!

And we wonder why so many people dislike us!

Answer 9

Yeah, USA frees the whole world.

Answer 10

Since I have never seen nor heard any government official say that this is their position, I would have to say that the answer to your question is...no.

That's not what you wanted to hear...was it?